MIT celebrates 200th birthday of founder William Barton Rogers

Contact: Heather Denny
MIT Libraries Communications Officer
hdenny @mit.edu
617-253-5686, (F) 617-253-8894

January 11, 2005

Lobby 7 was filled with an air of excitement and the buzz of kazoos, as a crowd of several hundred gathered on Tuesday, December 7, 2004 to celebrate the 200th birthday of MIT's visionary founder and first president, William Barton Rogers. The kazoos were part of a celebration that included remarks by the Institutes' new president, Dr. Susan Hockfield, as well as a kazoo chorus of Happy Birthday, a giant birthday cake and festive period music.

On her second official day on the job, MIT's sixteenth president stood under the watchful gaze of Rogers' plaque on the north wall and reflected on the first president's considerable impact on the institution that she will now lead. Hockfield remarked that at a time when science had no influence on college curriculums, "Rogers saw the need for a new kind of academic institution—one that could train students to put the advances of modern science to work for the betterment of humankind." It is this vision she said, that "...set the course that the Institute has followed for nearly a century and a half." Beloved by colleagues and well known for his persistence, she noted that Rogers fought off more than one attempt by Harvard to force a merger with MIT, which brought happy cheers, and kazoo buzzes from the crowd. She also commented that, "within Rogers' lifetime, MIT offered women students more equal treatment than any other scientific institution in the world," eliciting more applause.

The event, organized by the MIT Libraries and the Institute Archives, was an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of MIT's founder, reflect on the Institute's history and look to the future. "We are very appreciative to have President Hockfield here to participate in the celebration and connect the significance of MIT's rich history to its present and future," said Institute Archivist Tom Rosko. Looking ahead, Rosko sees more occasions to celebrate important Institute milestones, "2011 will be the 150th anniversary of MIT's founding and 2016 will mark the centennial of MIT's move to Cambridge—both are great opportunities for historical connections, reflections and celebrations."

The Institute Archives & Special Collections contains numerous items from MIT presidencies including many of the personal and professional papers of William Barton Rogers. These documents are rich in the early history of MIT and provide insight into Rogers' background, his connection to the scientific community of the day and his thoughts on establishing a school of practical science. Some of the special items that were on display at the 200 th birthday celebration included an 1846 letter from Rogers to his brother Henry outlining a school of practical science, correspondence between family members and colleagues describing their personal and professional lives and travels in mid 19th century US & Europe, and documents significant to the establishment of MIT.

To learn more about William Barton Rogers attend the upcoming IAP presentation: In Celebration of MIT's Founder, William Barton Rogers, 1804-1882; January 27th, 2:00pm; 4-231. Or to view items from the Rogers collection online, visit the Institute Archives virtual exhibit.